Chang said that hopefully the cross-strait trade in services pact will clear the Legislature's review soon.

The pact is very important to show Taiwan's determination to carry out trade liberalization, and opinion polls show that a majority of the public supports it, Chang said, urging lawmakers to complete their review soon.

The SEF yesterday held a board meeting and appointed Chang secretary-general. Chang will concurrently serve as MAC deputy minister and SEF secretary-general.

According to local reports, future SEF negotiations with the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS) will be steered by the MAC, whereas the foundation itself will focus mainly on cross-strait exchanges and related services.